Donovan: A.G. shouldn’t stand for ‘Aspiring Governor’

This could be seen as a shot not only against his opponent, Eric Schneiderman, but Andrew Cuomo and Eliot Spitzer before him — GOP Attorney General candidate Dan Donovan wants Schneiderman to take a pledge that he won’t use the AG’s office as a stepping stone, or potential stepping stone to the governor’s mansion.

Says Donovan (who is currently the Staten Island District Attorney):

“Earlier this year, I publicly pledged that if I was elected Attorney General, I would not run for higher office as the sitting Attorney General. I wanted to restore New Yorkers’ confidence that they were electing someone focused on the job at hand – not on their own future career aspirations. I believe that by making this pledge, it de-politicizes the office and sends a reassuring message that every decision I make as Attorney General is based on facts and evidence, not on a desire to use the office as a stepping stone to further my own personal ambitions.

“Today I am calling on my opponent to take the same public pledge. New Yorkers deserve to know State Senator Schneiderman’s view on this matter. Voters are tired of the fact that for too long, ‘A.G.’ has stood for ‘Aspiring Governor,’ not Attorney General. The job of Attorney General is a critical one, and it is one that should be conducted properly, without any interference or influence of political or personal considerations.

“I’m sure that the nominees for Governor would also like to know State Senator Schneiderman’s view on this issue.

“I took this pledge so that New Yorkers will have confidence that any actions undertaken by my office are done impartially, based on the merits of each case, and in the best interests of our state – not for headlines and not to further my own political career.”

“I challenge State Senator Schneiderman to join me in promising New Yorkers the same.”